Modal verbs atau kata kerja bantu modal merupakan elemen penting dalam tata bahasa Inggris. Kata kerja ini berfungsi untuk menyatakan kemampuan, kemungkinan, izin, kewajiban, hingga kepastian suatu peristiwa. Pemahaman yang baik tentang modal verbs sangat krusial, terutama bagi siswa SMA yang sedang mempersiapkan ujian nasional maupun tes berstandar internasional seperti IELTS atau TOEFL.
Artikel ini membahas secara mendalam berbagai jenis modal verbs, penggunaannya dalam kalimat, perbedaan fungsi, serta kesalahan umum yang sering dilakukan. Materi disajikan dengan contoh konkret, tabel ringkasan, diagram alur, dan soal latihan untuk memperkuat pemahaman.
Konsep Dasar Modal Verbs
Ciri-ciri Modal
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Tidak berubah bentuk mengikuti subjek (I, you, they, he, she).
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Selalu diikuti oleh bare infinitive (kata kerja dasar tanpa “to”).
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Tidak memiliki bentuk participle atau infinitive.
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Tidak digunakan bersama kata kerja bantu lain, kecuali dalam struktur tertentu.
Jenis-jenis Modal dan Fungsinya
1. Can
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Fungsi: Kemampuan, kemungkinan, izin.
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Contoh:
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Ability: She can swim very well.
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Permission: You can borrow my book.
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2. Could
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Fungsi: Kemampuan di masa lampau, kemungkinan, permintaan sopan.
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Contoh:
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Past Ability: When I was young, I could run fast.
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Polite request: Could you help me with this task?
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3. May
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Fungsi: Izin, kemungkinan (lebih formal).
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Contoh:
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Permission: You may leave now.
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Possibility: It may rain tomorrow.
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4. Might
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Fungsi: Kemungkinan yang lebih kecil dibanding may.
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Contoh: He might come to the party.
5. Must
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Fungsi: Kewajiban, kepastian logis.
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Contoh:
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Obligation: You must wear a helmet.
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Deduction: She must be tired after the long trip.
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6. Shall
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Fungsi: Janji, kepastian di masa depan (lebih sering dipakai dalam bahasa formal British English).
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Contoh: We shall overcome this problem.
7. Should
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Fungsi: Saran, kewajiban ringan, prediksi.
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Contoh: You should eat more vegetables.
8. Will
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Fungsi: Keputusan spontan, prediksi, janji.
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Contoh: I will call you tonight.
9. Would
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Fungsi: Permintaan sopan, kebiasaan di masa lampau, conditional.
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Contoh: When I was a child, I would play outside all day.
10. Ought to
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Fungsi: Saran moral, kewajiban.
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Contoh: You ought to respect your parents.
Tabel Ringkasan Fungsi Modal Verbs
| Modal | Fungsi Utama | Contoh Kalimat |
|---|---|---|
| Can | Kemampuan, izin, kemungkinan | She can play the piano. |
| Could | Kemampuan lampau, kemungkinan, permintaan sopan | Could you open the window? |
| May | Izin formal, kemungkinan | You may enter the room. |
| Might | Kemungkinan lemah | It might snow tonight. |
| Must | Kewajiban, kepastian | You must not cheat in the exam. |
| Shall | Janji, rencana formal | I shall return tomorrow. |
| Should | Saran, prediksi, kewajiban ringan | You should drink more water. |
| Will | Prediksi, janji, keputusan | I will help you. |
| Would | Permintaan sopan, kebiasaan lampau | He would always smile at me. |
| Ought to | Saran moral | We ought to protect the environment. |
Latihan Soal Modal Verbs
A. Pilihan Ganda
1. She ___ speak three languages fluently.
a) must
b) can
c) should
d) might
Jawaban: b) can
Pembahasan: Kata kerja bantu can digunakan untuk menyatakan kemampuan.
2. It’s cloudy. It ___ rain this afternoon.
a) can
b) may
c) must
d) shall
Jawaban: b) may
Pembahasan: May menyatakan kemungkinan yang cukup besar.
3. You ___ not park here. It’s prohibited.
a) must
b) may
c) should
d) might
Jawaban: a) must
Pembahasan: Must not berarti larangan kuat.
4. When I was young, I ___ run very fast.
a) could
b) can
c) will
d) shall
Jawaban: a) could
Pembahasan: Could dipakai untuk kemampuan di masa lampau.
5. ___ I borrow your book, please?
a) Must
b) Should
c) Could
d) Might
Jawaban: c) Could
Pembahasan: Could sering digunakan untuk permintaan sopan.
6. You ___ wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle.
a) may
b) must
c) could
d) might
Jawaban: b) must
Pembahasan: Must menunjukkan kewajiban kuat.
7. He looks pale. He ___ be sick.
a) must
b) may
c) shall
d) could
Jawaban: a) must
Pembahasan: Must digunakan untuk kesimpulan logis (deduction).
8. Students ___ submit their assignments before Friday.
a) should
b) might
c) could
d) can
Jawaban: a) should
Pembahasan: Should digunakan untuk kewajiban ringan atau saran.
9. Don’t worry. I ___ help you with your homework.
a) will
b) would
c) can
d) must
Jawaban: a) will
Pembahasan: Will dipakai untuk janji atau keputusan spontan.
10. She ___ respect her teachers.
a) ought to
b) may
c) shall
d) could
Jawaban: a) ought to
Pembahasan: Ought to menunjukkan kewajiban moral.
11. If I were you, I ___ take that opportunity.
a) will
b) shall
c) would
d) must
Jawaban: c) would
Pembahasan: Would dipakai dalam kalimat pengandaian (conditional).
12. May I come in? — Yes, you ___.
a) may
b) must
c) should
d) would
Jawaban: a) may
Pembahasan: May dipakai untuk memberi izin.
13. He ___ be at home. I saw his car in the garage.
a) must
b) may
c) could
d) might
Jawaban: a) must
Pembahasan: Deduksi logis → must be.
14. Children ___ play in the street. It’s dangerous.
a) must not
b) should not
c) may not
d) might not
Jawaban: b) should not
Pembahasan: Should not digunakan untuk memberi peringatan atau saran negatif.
15. When we were kids, we ___ swim in the river every summer.
a) would
b) can
c) must
d) may
Jawaban: a) would
Pembahasan: Would dipakai untuk kebiasaan di masa lampau.
B. Isian Singkat
16. I am not sure, but she ___ (might/must) be the new teacher.
Jawaban: might
Pembahasan: Karena masih ragu, gunakan might bukan must.
17. You ___ (should/must) see a doctor if you feel unwell.
Jawaban: should
Pembahasan: Should dipakai untuk memberi saran.
18. He ___ (could/must) play the guitar when he was 10 years old.
Jawaban: could
Pembahasan: Could untuk kemampuan di masa lampau.
19. Passengers ___ (must/may) show their tickets before boarding.
Jawaban: must
Pembahasan: Must digunakan untuk kewajiban.
20. I ___ (will/would) call you if I have free time tomorrow.
Jawaban: will
Pembahasan: Will dipakai untuk janji/komitmen di masa depan.
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